All posts tagged: online shopping

The Drawing Room – Shopping List

Published by Karen Knox

As promised, the last time I wrote about the Drawing Room, I mentioned there’d be a blog post coming soon enough, with the shopping list for this room. I think it’s time you guys got to see what we’ve been busy finding (and buying) whilst we’ve been waiting for the new sash windows to go in. Ferm Living Lines Wallpaper from Cloudberry Living I’m sure you all remember this, but just incase you missed the last few posts about this project, this wallpaper is going around the whole room becoming the backdrop to everything inside. It’s going to be sooo good. As soon as the windows are in, it’s time for the wallpaper. Eeee! **does little dance** Euan Floor Lamp from Habitat There’s a yellow/brass theme going on in this room. Lots of little pops of “bright” to contrast against the dark blue wallpaper. Stockholm Glass Door Cabinet from Ikea This will become the drinks cabinet. Crystal glasses galore and obscure spirits are awaiting their new home. Glass and metallics will be used to bounce the light …

Ethical interiors

Published by Karen Knox

Sheepskins are taking over, people. I know, it’s summer. The sun is shining (for now anyway) but more and more i’m seeing delicious, curly, soft, shaggy sheepskins draped, thrown, sometimes even strewn across chairs, sofas, loungers, beds, benches and floors. I wrote a post almost a year ago about my initiation into the world of sheepskins. Since then, my love has nothing but decupled (timesed x 10). I didn’t even know that was a word until today did you? My sheepskin love did however, feel like a bit of a guilty pleasure. I was vegetarian for over a decade based on my issues with animal welfare, but did start eating meat again when it became easier to buy organic and free-range. I do buy leather shoes, jackets and bags but would never buy or wear a fur coat.  So where did I stand on sheepskins? I was unsure about how could I justify using them at home and for work. So I began searching for ethically sourced sheepskins and came across Hide Rugs, an independent, UK family business. Hide Rugs guarantee …

Barnaby & Co

Published by Karen Knox

**Fab place to shop alert!** Barnaby & Co are an independent retailer selling specially selected homewares, art and gifts both online and in their new Brixton store. Launched in 2015 by Julianna and Jonathon, these guys were on a mission to bring colour and style into your home. More importantly perhaps, pieces with heritage and a story to tell rather than mass-produced “stuff” designed to be thrown away after a few months. Photo credit – Appear Here Barnaby & Co have curated a fine selection of work from independent designers and makers across Europe, including; Rosa & Clara Designs Matt Needle Sabrina Fosse Plus a perfectly sized collection from larger design houses such as Bloomingville.   Bloomingville Despite being relatively new to the scene, Barnaby & Co have been featured in several publications including The World of Interiors and Vogue. And now on Making Spaces, and as a thank you, Barnaby & Co offered to send me a little something to slip into one of my projects. Eeee! So off I went perusing their site (for hours weeks) …

The Bank Holiday Big Shop

Published by Karen Knox

There’s no better time than a bank holiday weekend to get moving with that online shopping list. Especially when that list is crammed with those big ticket items for the home. A BH weekend =  bank holiday money saving and the more you can stretch your budget, the more amazing your space will be. Win. It was time to finally make some decisions and start placing orders for the Masonic Villas project. Come see what we we bagged (online) this weekend. “Must have” statement reading light from Bluetreesun Orchid Wall Light – 10% off plus a nice and chunky trade discount from yours truly. The finer details – all from La Redoute Some for the living room and others for the home office. All these gorgeous items had a whopping 40% off all weekend. The multi function, industrial style media unit from Swoon Editions The Anvil Coffee Table had 10% off with free delivery The homeowner’s love of crosses continues into art work choices. This poster from Desenio is perfect for the monochrome, paired back …

“Here are a few of my favourite Pins…”

Published by Karen Knox

(Did you get my Sound of Music reference?) I’ve not mentioned the Masonic Villas project for a little while, mainly because i’ve been working like a donkey, juggling four other projects dotted around the region. Eeesh. Anyhoo, the last time this project got a mention on le blog, the living room had just had the ceiling lighting updated. Since then, i’ve been busy planning the schedule of work, solving problems, booking trades and placing orders. The paint for the whole redesign is on its way. Exciting indeed. I’ve also been Pinning like a demon, pieces that I think would look fab in this project. Some of them will make it, some won’t, but I thought it would be nice to share with you, some of my finds. To be precise, 10 of my finds. Pieces for the living room, home office and hallway. Come see. Lara Armchair – Fern and Grey Leather Chair – Cox & Cox Hoxton Swing Arm Wall Light – Bluesuntree Indian Cart Coffee Table – House Junkie Beni Ourain Moroccan Berber Rug – …

Making Spaces Curates for Wayfair

Published by Karen Knox

It’s Monday morning, it’s freezing and i’m still in my PJ’s but i’m so excited about this week. And that’s because starting from right now, for the next seven days, Wayfair are having a sale, Making Spaces stylee. I’ve curated a selection of some rather splendid items, really picking up on the Making Spaces vibe. I’d have these any of these pieces at home or use them for my design projects in a heartbeat. In fact I already have. Let me show you just a small selection of what delights are in store for you right now.     You’ll spot the obligatory skulls, stripped back industrial pieces, warm copper and brass metallics. Mix that in with a vintage vibe, lots of lovely layers with skins and faux furs and classic leather seating. Don’t forget to add a few bits of quirk (Pineapple lamp anyone?) and you’ve nailed the look.     To find out more about me, Making Spaces and how I got here, step this way to read a rather fab guest interview on Wayfair. …

Meet Ned

Published by Karen Knox

Ned Table Lamp – BHS Ned’s a lamp. A lamp from BHS. Yes. BHS. I’ve already written about BHS lighting. About how amazingly design led it is. And very affordable. “Ned table lamp is a mixed Antique brass and black task lamp. With an adjustable head.” If you’ve clicked to see how much Ned is, it says £50, down to £40 (at the moment). BHS are always doing flash sales and often reduce by a further 20%. This made Ned £32, with free delivery. £32 for a sexy antique brass table lamp delivered to your door. Amazing. I eagerly awaited its arrival as I was keen to see the quality. Does it look like a £32 lamp? And more importantly, does it feel like one? ie. Topple over when you reposition the angle of the lamp. I hate lamps that need assistance in standing up. So needy. Well it arrived yesterday and I’m so chuffed. It’s such a great piece. Looks good. Functions well and has a great weight to the base so Ned isn’t falling anywhere. …

Original Design with a Story

Published by Karen Knox

There are not many businesses out there that spend as much time and care sourcing unique and ethical design as these guys. Such & Such was founded by a brother and sister originally from the Peak District. Meet Ali, who in a previous life was a lawyer and Nikki who was a creative professional. In 2011 they both began to get itchy feet, feeling the need for a serious career and life change. Ali and Nikki with her daughter, Bessie After almost too many ideas, lots of research and a serious period of reflection, Such & Such was born in 2013. Nikki and Ali are clearly passionate about design, quality and craftsmanship. They offer a meticulously curated selection of homeware and lifestyle goods, whilst telling the stories of the designers and makers behind them. This is not a shop selling you “stuff” or a place providing a quick design hit. It’s a place to find those “cherished belongings that you will keep for a lifetime.” The collectables of the future. “Such & Such goals are to search for well-designed, cool …

In Real Life…

Published by Karen Knox

When designing a room, inspiration can be found everywhere, but especially online. I’m always spotting, bookmarking, Pinteresting things that would be bob on for clients (and sometimes for me). It’s not always possible to see everything in person before buying, so online shopping is the only way to get your mitts on the goodies. And whilst virtual shopping is THE best thing since sliced bread, it can also be a right pain if things are not as they appeared when arriving. Most items for The Blue Room were bought by my own fair hand, in person. So I could see what I was getting straight off the bat. But there were a couple of online purchases where I clicked “Buy” and kept my fingers crossed. Let’s see how I got on… Swoon Editions Sydney Stool – £59 The Sydney stool from Swoon Editions is gorgeous. Industrial, yet chic and delicate. The metal work is much brighter than the online photo made it appear, which in this instance will actually work to this room’s advantage. The warm …